McConnell Scholars present Christy Trout Van Tatenhove with Alumni Award for Leadership, Scholarship, and Service
McConnell Scholar Alumna Christy Trout Van Tatenhove ('99)
April 17, 2024 (Louisville, Ky.) -The McConnell Scholars Program recently recognized Christy Trout Van Tatenhove, a 1999 graduate and current General Counsel to Kentucky Speaker of the House David Osborne, with the inaugural Alumni Award for Leadership, Scholarship, and Service.
The Alumni Award recognizes McConnell Scholar Alumni for exceptional commitment to the McConnell Center’s three guiding pillars: Leadership, Scholarship, and Service. Van Tatenhove’s dedication to public service, support of civic education initiatives, and contributions to the McConnell Scholars Program were just a few of the factors that led to her recognition.
“I am honored to be the inaugural recipient of the Alumni Award for Leadership, Scholarship, and Service,” Van Tatenhove said. “Being a McConnell Scholar changed the trajectory of my future as a kid from southeastern Kentucky. The experiences I gained and the relationships I developed continue to shape my life today. I am so grateful for this recognition.”
The current McConnell Scholar body chose Van Tatenhove for the award out of a pool of nearly 300 alumni.
“Christy’s story is what the McConnell Center is all about,” said McConnell Center Director Dr. Gary Gregg. “Finding talented students and nurturing them to become leaders in the Commonwealth is what has driven this program from its inception and Christy is the perfect example.”
McConnell Scholar Alumni Relations Chair Camryn McPherson (’25) presented the award to Van Tatenhove on Saturday, April 6, 2024, at a McConnell Scholar Alumni Reunion event in Lexington, Ky. U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) was in attendance for the presentation, which can be viewed on the McConnell Center Vimeo page.